Arrest made in Suncoast Estates Wednesday morning stabbing death

Reporter: Dannielle Garcia
Published: Updated:
Rudolph Askew, 38. Credit” Lee County Sheriff’s office.

A death investigation is underway and one man has been arrested after a body was found in the driveway of a Zoysia Lane home just off Bayshore Road Wednesday morning.

About a dozen Lee County deputies were on scene at Suncoast Estates, including the mobile command center and crime scene van, as well as a livestock van.

A body of a man with a stab wound was lying on the ground of the driveway where investigators were focusing and gathering evidence. Police say the man had been stabbed inside the home and walked outside.

Rudolph Askew, 38, was arrested for the crime and charged with second-degree murder.

Rudolph Askew, 38. Credit” Lee County Sheriff’s office.

Earlier we saw Lee County Domestic Animal Services bring out a pig and dog from the home.

Lee County Sheriff’s Office said they got a call around 6:30 a.m. about a man bleeding out front, but wouldn’t give us any more details.

All they will say at this time is that it is an active investigation.

LCSO  held a news conference on the matter Wednesday afternoon. You can watch that by clicking here.

Crime scene along Zoysia Lane in Suncoast Estates, North Fort Myers [Oct. 7, 2020] (WINK News)
Neighbors got a nervewracking wake-up call as LCSO’s flashing lights arrived on scene this morning.

“Terrible thing when you see that that early in the morning. It’s not comforting at all,” said Elaine Walding who lives nearby.

Detectives went door to door talking to neighbors regarding the investigation.

Walding lives down the road and now says she feels unsafe in her own home.

“We lock the bedroom doors at night because it’s scary,” she said. “You think you’re safe, but you’re not.”

Her feelings are shared by her neighbor, Michael Stegmaier. His reaction to the scene? “Truthfully, no, it does not shock me,” he said.

Why? Stegmaier says because there have been issues with drugs in the area for a while. Watching as deputies filled the street along with a drone, K9s and their Crime Scene Unit only confirmed his fears.

“It does make me feel uneasy for sure. You know, you gotta look over your shoulders all the time,” he said.

Neighbors are now praying things will get better.

Askew is in custody at Lee County Jail without set bond.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.